Nate Evans, Jr. Sees ‘The Now’ in Today’s Youth
Nate Evans. Photo courtesy of Nate Evans.
By Clyde Hughes | AC JosepH Media
ATLANTIC CITY — Nate Evans Jr. said the youth don’t represent the future — they represent the present.
The director of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City’s Teen Center at 31 is not far removed from the youth he helps guide, but his maturity, insight and faith is providing a critical milepost to everyone he comes in contact with.
The first-generation college graduate from Pleasantville said one of the best gifts he tries to give to young people every day is just being there for them on a consistent basis.
“Some of the greatest challenges that the young people face who I have contact with is a lack of consistency from the people who want to add value to them,” Evans told Front Runner New Jersey.com. “Often our young people lack trust when people come in with resources and opportunities because they are used to people not being around long enough in their development to see anything come to fruition.
“Young people can be aggressive initially or standoffish, but with consistent love, understanding and discipline, those walls come down and they begin to embrace you. My hope is that when it’s all said and done, that they would know that Mr. Nate loves them and it’s not a transactional love where I need anything in return,” he continued.
Doctorate in Inspiration
While Evans owns an associate degree in communication from Atlantic Cape Community College and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with sequences in sociology and health from Rowan University, his insights virtually earn him a doctorate in caring and inspiration.
“I would hope that they receive that and I hope that they would be inspired to become who they need to be to make their community better as well,” Evans said. “They aren’t just the future, they are the NOW. I want them to understand their responsibility in being models for the generation that follows them while honoring the generation that preceded them.”
He is already a published author, with the second edition of “Building Muscle: Life is Your Trainer” available on Amazon.
“As a young woman whose life lacked consistent examples of positive male role models and peers, I admire the author’s transparency in sharing the life lessons that transitioned him from boy to manhood,” one reader said. “His perspective on adversity will inspire any reader to see their challenges as an advantage to achieving greatness. This book is genuinely written. A coming of age guide on maintaining strong faith, self-assessment and pursuing one’s purpose.”
He also authored the popular book, “I Love You: Letters of Love From Black Men to Black Boys.“
Rewarding, Challenging
Evans said he believes his job at the Boys & Girls Club is both “rewarding yet challenging.” He admitted the job was not even on his radar until a job referred him.
“It’s unpredictable when you’re serving teens while building leaders within your staff but, that’s what I love about it,” Evans said. “Honestly, this job came to me. I wasn’t actively searching for new employment. I was actually referred by a friend for this position when the club had a void that needed to be filled.
“Prior to being here, I was and still am an author and inspirational speaker. I speak at high schools and colleges all across the country on topics like resilience, mental health and black male empowerment. Being the Teen Center director here at the Boys & Girls Club in Atlantic City has allowed me access to speak with more leaders and decision-makers to expand my speaking business as well as bring resources to Atlantic City for our teens,” he continued.
Because of his potential to influence young people, Evans said he takes his responsibility as a role model “very seriously.”
“I understand that my words may be heard by the youth and they may heed to them but they will remember my actions and how I made them feel way more,” Evans said. “I never want to contradict what I say, so I pride myself on being a man of my word and a man of integrity, character and vulnerability.”
Inspirations
Evans said he finds inspiration in his fiancée Tamaira Mortimore’, who is currently pursuing her doctorate degree, and his younger brother Joziah.
“He’s only 8-years-old and I’ve learned more from his actions than I believe he’s ever learned from me as his big brother,” Evans said.
For the future, Evans said, if God willing, he wants to do his current work at a “greater capacity.” He has all but ruled out politics, but sees his true ministry as inspiring Black men and boys. He wants to capitalize on his writing by starting his own publishing company and creating a popular podcast.
“With this comes philanthropy and other avenues of giving that I believe will open as well over time,” Evans said. “I want to create a movement, not a moment. I’m not called to seek attention. I’m called to serve with the gifts that I have been blessed with. This is the heart posture behind everything that I do. I also want to inspire others to be the bridge for their own communities. The purpose of learning is to teach and to serve; not to hoard and disappear.”
The Rest of the Story
Here are other items Evans shared with Front Runner New Jersey.
FRNJ: Tell me about your family and where you are from.
Nate Evans Jr.: I am from Pleasantville. I was raised there, as well as in Atlantic City. I come from a long line of Dorris’s, Thompsons and Evans. I’m currently residing in Mays Landing with my fiancée. We moved here because we needed a change of scenery and more exposure to a new area. We also didn’t want to be too far away from family and friends. This is a starter home for us. I am a first-generation high school and college graduate. I graduated from Pleasantville High School, Atlantic Cape Community College with an associate degree in communication and Rowan University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with sequences in sociology & health. These different institutions of learning exposed me to different kinds of people as well as different levels of academic learning. I had teachers and professors from each of these institutes who I consider mentors and contributors in shaping me into the man that I currently am today. These specific individuals went beyond the classroom and noticed my gifts and helped me to hone them.
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